WASHINGTON - The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 6-12, 2022. Across the United States, dioceses, parishes, and Catholic organizations will host events to promote vocations to the ordained ministry and consecrated life. The faithful are encouraged during this week to renew their prayerful support for those currently discerning a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life.

Beginning August 2, 2022, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Celebration of the Mass will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway. Adoration will be from 9 AM to 11:45 AM, followed by the celebration of Mass at 11:45 AM. The St. John Neumann Pastoral Center is located at 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Parking is available in front of the pastoral center building. Please use the main entrance near the chapel. Register to become a regular adorer at www.diometuchen.org/eucharisticrevival

The Catholic Media Association recognized and honored the Diocese of Metuchen's Office of Communications & Public Relations and The Catholic Spirit, the official publication of the Diocese of Metuchen, at the 2022 Catholic Press Awards Banquet & Presentation at the Catholic Media Conference in Portland, Oregon. 

Peter G. Kane has been appointed by the Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen as the next President of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison, New Jersey. Mr. Kane will be the first lay person to serve as President of the highly regarded, coed high school.

Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations said, “I am deeply grateful for the faithful and diligent efforts of so many individuals in the development of the updated PPF. This document will guide diocesan and religious formation programs for years to come in the critical work of forming men to the priesthood. May Our Lord continue to bless all involved in the important and indispensable ministry of vocations and priestly formation in the life of the Church.”

Many ideas and thoughts were expressed in the gatherings and written responses, and this report, submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is a synthesis of these.

As Catholics who believe in the intrinsic dignity of life from conception to natural death regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status, we welcome the United States Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In its ruling, the Supreme Court has corrected the duplicitous reasoning in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey,  which permitted the lawful killing of innocent life. As a Church, we are grateful to God for this blessing on our land and move to continue our work in building up a culture of life that supports all mothers and families in need. Today's ruling validates that even the most innocent and dependent human beings have a right to life.  

We the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey express our deepest gratitude for the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs V. Jackson Women’s Health. This decision ends a very dark chapter in American history and now is the time for our nation to move forward to heal wounds and social divisions.

In conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations said, “The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus gives us a special opportunity to continue our prayers for our priests. May and June are traditionally when ordinations to the priesthood are celebrated. With many priests celebrating anniversaries, this annual day of prayer is significant. This year, it also marks the official promulgation of the sixth edition of The Program of Priestly Formation in the United States of America.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations has released the results of the study A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate: A Study for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2021-2022. This annual survey, conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University since 2005, provides a detailed snapshot of the state of the permanent diaconate in the United States. Findings include the percentage of active vs. non-active deacons, the arch/dioceses, and eparchies with the largest number of permanent deacons, sociocultural demographics, ministerial involvement, etc.

The 59th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be celebrated by the Catholic Church on May 8. The Fourth Sunday of Easter is commonly referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday” for the Gospel reading about the shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, just as Jesus did for us. While upholding all vocations, the Church places a special emphasis each year on this day to pray for vocations to the ordained ministry and consecrated life, and support for those currently living out one of these vocations.

PISCATAWAY – In communion with Pope Francis, Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen will join in prayer as the Holy Father consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25.

We write to you as Colleagues in Faith and in response to your statement “Pray for Ukraine!” As members of the New Jersey Coalition of Religious Leaders, an interfaith Coalition of Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh Faith Leaders, we unite with you in our prayers for Peace and the well-being of the people of Ukraine.

EDISON – In 1970, when Felician Sister Donna Marie Trukowski first entered St. Thomas Aquinas High School as the chairperson of the mathematics department and as a teacher, the school was less than a year old. Now – after having shepherded the school through a building expansion, its 50th anniversary, and a global pandemic – she will retire in June, leaving behind a lasting legacy and generations of grateful students and families.

PERTH AMBOY – Unified only by their prayers and faith, their city, and the blue and yellow ribbons on their school uniforms, proudly displaying the colors of the Ukrainian flag, the students and faculty members from Assumption Catholic School, a Ukrainian Catholic school, and Perth Amboy Catholic School, a Roman Catholic school, gathered together in a prayerful response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.

Families interested in applying for tuition assistance to attend an eligible Diocese of Metuchen elementary or high school may apply online now through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment by no later than March 31, 2022. Applications are available in English and Spanish.

As the Church in the United States prepares to commemorate the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, the Diocese of Metuchen invites the faithful to join in a prayerful novena for the protection of all life, from conception to natural death, as part of their local participation in the 9 Days for Life Novena.  

September is National Recovery Month, a time during which we celebrate those who have achieved recovery and continue our support of those still working toward it. During this time, we, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, are renewing our commitment to helping those suffering from various forms of addiction and we are calling on all Catholics and people of good will to join us in praying for, supporting, and encouraging those working toward recovery.

Twenty years ago today, 2,996 lives were lost in terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. That staggering figure includes citizens of 78 countries, 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers. It includes the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon building and the 44 lives lost in Shanksville. It includes too the lives of the 19 militants who carried out the unspeakable horror.

SOMERVILLE – A former pastor who diverted parish funds for his own personal use was sentenced Wednesday to serve seven years in state prison.